Written Answers Nos. 668-83
668. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents waiting to be seen by the CAMHS teams in County Tipperary; the current waiting times from initial referral; the efforts being taken to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22659/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
669. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing and supporting the aftercare plans held by persons who are 18 to 21 years of age, by allocating 15 hours per week for a support worker in each case. [22667/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the matters raised are the responsibility of the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs.
670. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated for 2016 to the HSE west for the home care package; if he will allocate further moneys for the home care package for the Limerick area; and the number of persons in the Limerick area who are currently in receipt of the home care package. [22680/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
671. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer for each year from 2011 to 2015 and 2016 to date; the number diagnosed in the age ranges of 29 years and under, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years and 70 years plus, in tabular form. [22690/16]
View answer672. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the mortality rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer for each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; the rates in the following age ranges: 29 and under; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; and 70 plus, in tabular form. [22691/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 671 and 672 together.
The National Cancer Registry is the statutory body with responsibility for, inter alia, the collection and analysis of information relating to the incidence of cancer and related tumours in Ireland. My Department has asked the Registry to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the question raised on incidence rates.
The Deputy will find the mortality rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 2011 and 2015 as follows. The figures for 2016 have not yet been released.
Age specific morality rates (per 100,000 females population) where cause of death is C56 Malignant Neoplasm of ovary. Figures sourced from the CSO.
|
Ovarian cancer (C56) |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
29 and under |
0.21 |
0.32 |
0.11 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
30-39 |
1.05 |
0.52 |
0.26 |
1.31 |
0.53 |
|
40-49 |
3.79 |
4.97 |
3.05 |
2.71 |
2.97 |
|
50-59 |
17.01 |
16.27 |
17.49 |
17.85 |
16.03 |
|
60-69 |
41.67 |
29.88 |
30.89 |
33.44 |
30.65 |
|
70 plus |
66.33 |
73.47 |
66.07 |
67.22 |
60.93 |
|
Total |
12.01 |
11.92 |
11.34 |
12.01 |
11.08 |
Note: Data for years 2014 and 2015 are based on year of registration. These figures should be considered provisional and are subject to revision.
673. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred by the HSE in treating ovarian cancer in each year from 2011 to 2015. [22692/16]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter with them.
674. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with a neurologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22695/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
675. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of politically appointed staff working in his Department, including the names, roles and salaries of each staff member; in the case of special advisers, their qualifications and experience relevant to their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22734/16]
View answerThere have been two special advisers appointed to me as Minister for Health (Joanne Lonergan and Majella Fitzpatrick) and one appointed to Minister of State Finian McGrath (Damian O'Farrell). The salaries applicable to all three advisers is the standard scale for the grade of Principal Officer in the Civil Service (€79,401 - €91,624) in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions to Personnel Officers on Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil. The special advisers are suitably qualified for their roles.
There were also two drivers appointed to me as Minister for Health and two drivers to each of the Ministers of State McGrath, McEntee and Byrne whilst Minister of State Corcoran Kennedy has only appointed one so far. The rate of pay for the drivers is either €631.75 or €665 per week depending on the pension scheme applicable.
676. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the improvements made to the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda through capital investment in each of the years 2014 to 2015 and 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22750/16]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the management of the health care estate, therefore, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter. If the Deputy has received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office who will follow up.
677. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to increase the HSE subvention provided to a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22752/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
678. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to increase recently administered additional funds by the Health Service Executive to supported care homes by at least 10% during the lifetime of the current Government in addition to the current annual allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22778/16]
View answerFunding for such groups is by and large provided by the Health Service Executive under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
679. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to establish a working group consisting of representatives of HIQA, Supported Care Homes for the Elderly and the Health Service Executive to examine the current inspection guidelines that can be applied to supported care homes for the elderly and determine if more suitable inspection guidelines can be established in acknowledgement of the significant saving that such facilities provide to the State per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22779/16]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent statutory authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using health and social care services. HIQA's role is to develop standards and inspect and review health and social care services. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive framework, including the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People and the Health Act, 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2013.
The National Standards set out what is expected in terms of the service provided to residents, with a focus on continuous development of safe and effective care. A revised set of National Standards were approved earlier this year and came into effect this month. The revised Standards place a stronger focus on quality of life and a person centred approach to care of all residents and these were developed taking into account the following:
- a review of the 2009 National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland;
- a review of national and international reports, standards, literature and policy documents;
- findings from focus groups with residents, relatives or friends and staff in eight residential care services;
- feedback from the Standards Advisory Group;
- feedback from key stakeholders during a five-week targeted consultation;
- feedback from key stakeholders and the public during an eight-week public consultation.
The Authority has emphasised that all decisions on compliance are considered with regard to reasonableness, proportionality, fairness and in the context of the service provided. There are no plans at present to establish a working group to review the recently approved Standards.
680. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors, general practitioners and nurses dedicated to supporting patients living with dementia and their families in County Donegal; and his plans to add to this list of important supports. [22802/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
681. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied), including when the person can expect an appointment. [22839/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer any eligibility on any individual.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
682. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in sectoral format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22858/16]
View answerThe 21st North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Health and Food Safety meeting is expected to take place in the autumn.
At the recent NSMC Plenary held in Dublin Castle on 4 July, the Council had a detailed discussion on the potential impact of the UK referendum result to leave the EU. It was agreed that a full audit will be undertaken in all sectors to identify possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies arising in the phases preceding and following the UK's withdrawal from the EU. It was also agreed that this work will in turn be submitted to Ministerial sectoral meetings for consideration.
While the agenda for the next health and food safety sectoral meeting has not been decided, I expect that as envisaged at the discussion at the NSMC Plenary on the UK referendum result, the Minister for Health for Northern Ireland and I will continue our consideration of the potential implications of the leave vote for North-South co-operation on the areas for which we have responsibility.
The meeting will also continue to discuss the many important issues which are the focus of the NSMC Health Sectoral Work Programme.
683. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the commitment in the programme for Government to reintroduce the purchase treatment fund will be honoured; the date he expects patients to be referred for treatment under the fund; the financial allocation for treatments under the fund in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22864/16]
View answerCurrently under Regulations establishing the National Treatment Purchase Fund, it carries out two important functions. It (1) maintains and assures the quality of waiting list data nationally, working with the HSE to assist hospitals in managing demand and capacity, and providing technical guidance to hospitals to ensure high quality waiting list data management, and (2) determines pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
The expertise amassed by the NTPF in respect of waiting lists has proven invaluable in assisting the HSE to administer previous waiting list initiatives and in carrying out smaller-scale targeted initiatives in areas such as endoscopy. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required, with a particular focus on those waiting longest. Consequently, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15 million funding to the NTPF to address waiting lists in 2017, as part of the Programme's commitment to a continued investment of €50 million per year to reduce waiting lists. This commitment seeks to utilise the expertise of the NTPF to further assist the HSE in addressing specific waiting list pressures.
The Department of Health is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a dedicated 2016 waiting list initiative focused on endoscopy. The Department is also engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to develop plans for the effective use of the Programme for a Partnership Government funding in 2017 and subsequent years.
